The Iron Grip by Edgar Wallace

Author:Edgar Wallace
Format: epub
Publisher: ManyBooks.net

CHAPTER VII

- THE STRANGE CASE OF ANITA BRADE

No man realized more thoroughly the extent of the good fortune which had come his way, or recognized more fairly the element of luck which had contributed to his success, than Jack Bryce. In the space of a few months he had built up for himself, out of nothing more tangible than opportunity, a record which not only benefited him and added weekly to the respectable sum which he had standing to his credit at the bank, but had added something to the prestige of his employer.

Between Mr. Hemmer and his assistant something like a close, personal friendship had sprung up. That this state of affairs was to Jack Bryce's advantage need not be questioned. But to some extent it also embarrassed him.

In the early days the solicitor had given him cases which might be described as forlorn hopes, and Jack had succeeded beyond all expectations. Now, however, Mr. Hemmer was growing more cautious.

"I can't afford that you should have a failure, Bryce," he said one morning. "I want your record to be one of continuous success."

"I have a preference for that also," said Jack with twitching lips, "but it will never do for you to give me only the soft jobs."

"Why not?"

"Because," the other answered, "there's no better way of dulling the edge of the keenest blade than putting it to cut paper."

They were breakfasting together at Mr. Hemmer's house in Savile Square, and the lawyer smiled grimly as he folded his serviette and laid it on the table.

"I won't give you easy jobs," he said; "butt I don't want to give you fiddling jobs. For example, I should like to send you along to, meet Anita Brade, but my managing clerk can do that." He paused. "Still, I would like somebody to see her who understands human nature as well as you do. The girl rather puzzles me."

"She rather interests me," said Jack with a smile. "Won't you tell me all about her?"

"With pleasure," said the lawyer. "Only I don't think there's a job in it for you, by which I mean I don't want anybody tossed over your head or half-strangled."

Jack laughed.

"Come down to the office with me," said the lawyer after a moment's thought, "and I'll tell you all about the matter on my way."

When they were in the big limousine Mr. Hemmer explained something of his doubts.

"Anita Brade is the daughter of an old client of mine," he said, "Felix Brade, belonging to the North of England. He died about six years ago, when the girl was at school, leaving her about thirty thousand pounds, which she inherits on her twenty-first birthday--that is, in six months' time. Mrs. Brade was a weak, amiable creature, and poor Felix had not been dead a few months before she met and was married by a man for whom I have the most intense dislike--Mr. Tallot Sordley. Sordley is one of those mysterious individuals who always keep up a good appearance and yet never seem to have any settled income or means of livelihood.

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